FirstGroup holds out for long-term train contract May 11, 2011 BRITISH transport operator FirstGroup has said it will not take up the option to extend its First Great Western franchise for three years beyond 2013 so it can bid for a longer-term deal. “We have made the commercial decision not to take up the option to extend the First Great Western franchise for a further [...]
Tube walkouts called off May 10, 2011 A RUN of crippling Tube strikes due to start next Monday have been called off following secret talks between Transport for London boss Mike Brown and union officials. He told RMT Union leader Bob Crow that a driver at the centre of the dispute would be re-instated in order to avoid “significant disruption for London”. [...]
Tube strike called off May 10, 2011 The two-week Tube drivers’ strike due to start next Monday was called off after a deal was struck through secret negotiations. Transport for London chief Mike Brown held talks with the RMT union and told leader Bob Crow that a driver at the centre of the dispute will be re-employed. Brown said the deal had [...]
Boris calls for strike law May 9, 2011 MAYOR Boris Johnson has insisted a change in the law is needed to stop industrial action grinding London’s transport network to a halt. His call comes despite criticism from ministers over his handling of unions planning to hold a run of Tube strikes from next week. Senior cabinet ministers told him to engage with the [...]
Serco “on target” thanks to contract wins May 9, 2011 Outsourcing group Serco said it was on track with its 2011 expectations after some strong contract wins and was well placed to achieve future revenue targets. Serco, which among other things runs London’s cycle-hire scheme and Dubai’s metro, said it had won £1.6bn worth of work since the start of its financial year on 1 [...]
Hammond slams strikes May 5, 2011 Transport secretary Philip Hammond has branded the latest round of Tube strikes “highly irresponsible” and said the union’s behaviour will lead to tougher industrial laws. The RMT union, headed up by Bob Crow, has announced six strike days. They will down tools for between nine and 24 hours between 16 and 20 May and again [...]
NOISY NEIGHBOURS MAKE MAYOR MICHAEL A SORE-HEADED BEAR May 2, 2011 BEING Lord Mayor of London comes with its benefits. Just ask the present mayor Michael Bear, who took a seat in Westminster Abbey last Friday alongside David Beckham, Elton John and David Cameron as a guest at the Royal Wedding. There is also, of course, the advantage of a grace-and-favour home at Mansion House round [...]
Tube staff vote to strike April 27, 2011 Londoners could face a fresh wave of transport misery after RMT union members voted in favour of more strike action. The union says it will now consider “the appropriate course of action,” which could lead to yet another staff walkout. The RMT claims two Transport for London (TfL) workers, Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas, were [...]
Tory MP calls for tough new law on strikes April 26, 2011 A CONSERVATIVE MP yesterday proposed new legislation that would ban strikes by transport and emergency workers unless 50 per cent of unionised employees vote in favour of industrial action. Dominic Raab, MP for Esher & Walton, used the 10-minute rule procedure in the House of Commons to call for a change in the current law, [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS April 26, 2011 IMS Group The regulatory compliance provider has strengthened its consultancy offering following the acquisition of compliance consultancy MMS in February. Jonathan Mott joins as a consultant from the Financial Services Authority to work with a range of companies in the asset management and securities sector, including hedge fund managers and private equity firms. In addition, [...]